Second suspect charged in death of Navajo officer

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Prosecutors charged a second man Friday they said was involved in an altercation that led to the death of a Navajo Nation police officer.

Tyson Bigman, 21, appeared before a U.S. magistrate Friday in Flagstaff on a felony charge of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is scheduled for a preliminary and detention hearing Wednesday.

Authorities said the charges stem from Bigman's role in an incident last month during which tribal officer Vernon Begay sustained a potentially permanent wrist injury and Sgt. Darrell Curley was fatally shot.

According to court documents, Begay and Curley responded to a home in the reservation community of Kaibeto on June 25 after Bigman's mother reported her sons had been drinking and fighting.

Authorities said Bigman attacked when the officers tried to take him into custody. Begay said he took down Bigman, who took a swing at Curley.

Authorities said Curley used pepper spray to bring the situation under control and was headed to his patrol vehicle with Bigman when Victor Bigman, the suspect's father, grabbed a handgun and fired four shots, fatally wounding the officer. Curley returned fire, striking Victor Bigman.

The 48-year-old Curley died hours later. Victor Bigman remained in the hospital Friday, where he has been since the shooting. He was charged with murder this week by federal prosecutors.

Begay said he sustained a wrist injury in the struggle but didn't immediately notice any pain. He later told authorities he lost movement in his left wrist.

A nurse told investigators that Begay suffered torn ligaments and that the injury could result in numbness and tingling for up to six months. In rare cases, patients can experience permanent nerve damage and have only limited use of their wrist, a doctor told authorities.